Staten Island, NY: High Radon Risk — 34/100 (2026)
14 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
A meaningful share of water systems in Staten Island have recorded health-based violations in recent NY monitoring periods — placing the city in the lower tier for tap water safety.
How Staten Island Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Staten Island, NY
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Staten Island score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Staten Island Water
- Homes built before 1986: 69% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,314 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.77.
Who Supplies Your Water in Staten Island
Structurally, Staten Island, NY's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 2 water systems in the area, with 2 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 14 ZIP codes in Staten Island, New York (population ~492,734), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 8,271,285 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Staten Island — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Staten Island: F (34/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Staten Island water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Staten Island
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 14 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10301 | F | New York City System | 8,271,000 |
| 10302 | F | New York City System | 8,271,000 |
| 10303 | F | New York City System | 8,271,000 |
| 10304 | F | New York City System | 8,271,000 |
| 10305 | F | New York City System | 8,271,000 |
| 10306 | F | New York City System | 8,271,000 |
| 10307 | F | New York City System | 8,271,000 |
| 10308 | F | New York City System | 8,271,000 |
| 10309 | F | New York City System | 8,271,000 |
| 10310 | F | New York City System | 8,271,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Staten Island
- 10301 [F]
- 10302 [F]
- 10303 [F]
- 10304 [F]
- 10305 [F]
- 10306 [F]
- 10307 [F]
- 10308 [F]
- 10309 [F]
- 10310 [F]
- 10311 [D]
- 10312 [F]
- 10313 [D]
- 10314 [F]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Staten Island
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Housing & Infrastructure in Staten Island
With 69% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Staten Island's housing stock carries a median build year of 1968. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Staten Island were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Staten Island Homeowners
Because property values in Staten Island comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Staten Island are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,543–$3,143 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 82% above the New York average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Staten Island
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
After the federal action removing lead-bearing solder from new plumbing took effect, building practice shifted — but 69% of the Staten Island inventory predates that line. With aggregate samples near or beyond 0.015 mg/L, an in-home check moves out of the optional column into the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Staten Island
What does a high NFIP claim count mean for water quality in Staten Island? The 19378 documented claims reflect a flood history frequent enough that those infrastructure degradation pathways — treatment overload, well infiltration, backflow — have almost certainly been periodically activated. That record makes flood timing a relevant factor in local water quality assessment, particularly in the 86% of ZIP codes FEMA has designated as flood zones.
Staten Island has a significant flood history with 19,378 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $10,982 per claim. With 86% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,314</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Staten Island
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 69% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Staten Island, NY